First-time Property Investors Warned To Be Wary This Tax Time

First-time residential property investors taking advantage of low interest rates should pay particular attention to their end of financial year reports or risk a nasty tax-time surprise.

Brisbane-based BDO Private Clients Partner and property specialist Hung Tran warned property investors that a number of tax measures tended to face particular scrutiny.

"While the negative gearing debate has dominated the recent property investment narrative, those preparing their FY15 statements should know there are a number of existing policies that could present a challenge," Mr Tran said.

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"Ignorance is never an excuse when it comes to claiming on a property investment, and there are several lesser-known tax treatments that could trip up first-time investors."

Renting to a related party

"If an investor is renting to a related party and wants to maximise deductions, it's integral to make sure the rent being paid reflects market value," Mr Tran said.

"For example, if renting an apartment to a son or daughter attending university, or renting a holiday home to your parents-in-law as their full-time residence, the value of this rent should be reviewed annually and reflect market value rent had the property been rented to an independent third party."

Multi-purpose loans

"While multi-purpose bank loans - as opposed to either pure investment loans or private loans - are most common for property investors, they need particularly close attention at tax time," Mr Tran said.

"Where a property investor has used some of the fund from a multi-purpose bank loan to fund their investment, but not all, the interest incurred is not wholly tax deductible.""There can also be complications with these types of loans when it comes to repayments made.""For those considering a property investment in the new financial year, it might be worth considering a more straightforward financing option."

Repair vs capital items

"Property investors that have purchased an older dwelling on which they have conducted work need to understand the difference in tax treatment between a repair and a capital improvement," Mr Tran said.

"Only repairs - not improvements - are tax deductible and this is often an area of intense scrutiny.""Generally, a repair brings an element of the property in line with original condition, while an improvement goes beyond its original state, however there are some stipulations that consider whether the property is rented or not."

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